Closure assembly for vehicle radiators



Sept. 13, 1932. s MaCPHERSON 1,876,710

CLOSURE ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE RADIATORS Filed April 6, 1931 INVENTOR [Zn-Z6 5'. /Zac 7i 62 80.7?

BY W (Al/M ATroRNEns' Patented Sept. 13, 1932 N l-TED ST ES; l T N @FFJFCEE.

roRATIoN, or nn'rnornivucnrean, A coaronnrron or VIRGINIA ciios'unn assnmBLY Eon EHICLE RADIATORS I Application filed April 6, 1931. Serial No 528,168.

This invention relates to closure assemblies of the type used in connection with vehicle radiators for sealing the filler necks thereof,

The invention contemplates the provision of an improved closure assembly having a removable cap located exteriorly or the radiator shell and has as one of its objects to provide a construction which permits the edges of the cap to be intimately engaged with the adjacent portions of the shell so as to simulate in effect an integral part of the latter.

Another object of this inventionis to provide a construction of the above type which permits fashioning the cap of various contours and at the same time provides for readily and completely removing the cap from the shell. 7

A further advantageous feature of this lIl vention resides in the provision of a closure H; assembly having a rotatable sealing portion insertable through an openlng'in the shell for sealing engagement with the filler neck of the radiator and having another rotatable cap removable with the sealing'portion and operable to conceal the opening in the shelL;

In addition to the foregoing,the invention contemplates the provision of means which may be in the form of an ornamental device extending through the non-rotatable cap and secured to the sealing portion aforesaid for rotating the latter to engage and disengage the same The foregoing as well as other objects will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when consideredin connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 7

Figure 1 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a vehicle radiator having a cap assembly constructed in accordance with this invention; a 1 V Figure 2 is atop plan view of the construction shown in Figure 1; and ,7

Figure 3 is a sectional view t ,ken substantially on the line 3-8 of Figure 2.

from the filler neck of the radiator."

'l Vhile it will be vapparent as this tion proceeds that the closure assembly form- EARLE s. MACPHERSON, or iin'rnorr, nicnreamhssronon T0 Herr Moron can condescriping the subject matter of thisinvention is not restricted to any particular design of radiator unit, neverthelessfln order to illustrate and at the same time emphasize one of the advane tageous features of this invention, the closure assembly is shown as used in connection with a radiator unit 10 having a shell 11 substantially V-shaped in plan and frontelevation. In detail, as shownin Figure 3 the front wall 12of the radiator shell tapers rearwardly in opposite directions from the center of the shell and the top wall 13 thereof tapers downwardly and outwardly from the center 7 of the shell as shown in Figure 1.

Heretofore it has been customary to ex 7 tendthe filler neck for the radiator core into close proximity to an aligned opening in the radiator shell and to seal the filler neck by a rotatable cap having a portion extending through the opening aforesaid for engagement with the filler neck and having another portionextending beyond the opening in the shellexteriorly of the latter so as to conceal the opening. While the foregoing arrangement has proved satisfactory for accomplishing the sealing function, nevertheless, it is objectionable from. the standpoint of appearance and design since it is practically'impos sible, wherela rotatable cap is used, to obtain a construction wherein the cap will intimately contact with the'top surfaces of the shell b0r dering the opening therethrough. However, even when assuming accurately design a construction that the necessary vertical displacement of the cap to accomplish the sealing function also causes the overlapping portions of the cap to move into intimate contacting relation with the shell, the construction would still be impractical since rotation of the cap to engage v and disengage the same would unduly scratch that it is possible to so ator shell is substantially V-shape as described herein, it will be readily seen that the use of a rotatable closure cap of the conventional type hereinbefore referred to is impractical from the standpoint of appearance since it would leave an unsightly space between the overlapping portions thereof and adjacent tapering top wall portions of the shell depending on the degree of taper of the latter. Moreover, due to the fact that it is necessary to rotate the cap to close or gain access to the radiator, the design and contour of the cap is mate.- rially restricted which is objectionable especially when it is desired to harmonize the design of the cap with the radiator shell or other parts of the vehicle.

The present invention contemplates eliminating the foregoing obj ections by providmg a cap assembly which not only provides for engagement of the cap with the shell when in assembled relation with the latter irrespective of the contour of the same, but also permits the cap to be of any desirable configuration.

In detail, the radiator core 10 illustrated in Figure 3 is provided with a filler neck 14 having one end communicating with the upper header of the core and the opposite end terminating below the top wall 13 of the radiator shell 11 which, as previously stated, encloses the core in the conventional manner. The central portion of the top wall 13 of the shell is apertured as at 15 opposite the filler neck so as to permit the cooling fluid to be inserted into the core through the filler neck.

F or sealing the filler neck, I provide my improved closure assembly designated generally herein by the reference character 16 and comprising a rotatable cap 17 adapted to be extended through the opening 15 into engagement with the upper end of the filler neck 14. The construction is such that the cap 17 isarranged in sealing engagement withthe filler neck by a rotatable movement thereof. In the present instance, the cap 17 is of the quick-on type having cam surfaces 18 adapted to engage corresponding cam surfaces 19 upon the filler neck. As is usually the case in the above type of closure construction, the cam surfaces 18 and 19 are relativelyv inclined so that relative rotation in one direction effects a sealing pressure between the cap 17 and filler neck, while rotation in the opposite direction causes the cam surfaces to disengage permitting the cap 17 to be removed from the filler neck. It is to be understood, however, that the foregoing construction is shownherein for the purpose of illustration only and that if desired, the closure cap 17 may be threadedly mounted upon the filler neck.

As shown particularly in Figure 3, the closure member 17 is located below the top wall 13 of the shell and does not function to conceal the opening 15 in the latter. The

1 ng member 24 having a reduced portion opening 15 in the present instance is ccncealed by a second cap member 20 arranged eXteriorly of the shell and having a top wall 21 provided with spaced depending projections 22 adapted to extend through suitable openings in the top wall of the shell for positioning the cap relative to the shell. The cap 20 is non-rotatably mounted upon the shell and is provided with a depending boss 23 adapted to extend through the opening 15 towardthe cap 17. Mounted for vertical displacement Within the boss 23 is an actuat- GK adapted to extend through an opening in the bottom wall 26 of the boss for attachment to the closure 'cap-17. The actuating member 2a is detachably secured to the closure cap 17 by means of a bolt 27 having the head portion thereof engaging the lower surface of the cap 17 and having the shank portion extending, upwardly through the cap for threaded engagement with the actuating member 2a. In the normal position of the closure-assembly as shown in Fi ure 3, the closure Cap 117 is normally urged into sealing engagement with the. filler neck by means of a suitable coil spring 29 arranged within the boss 23 around the-reduced portion of the actuating member 24. The upper end of the coil spring normally engages an annuu lar shoulder 30 on the actuating member 2% and the lower end thereof normally engages the lower wall 26 of the boss tending to urge the actuating member upwardly relative to the closure cap20. The above construction is such as to permit the necessary vertical dis placement of the closure member 17 to ar complish the-scaling function without interfering with the position of the closure cap 20 and at the same time to secure the two caps 17 and; 20 together as a unit. lVith respect to theactuatingmemberQ L, it is to be under stood that while this member not completely shown in the drawing, thesame may be in the form of-an ornamental device projecting above the cap 20.

- lVith the construction as thus far described and assuming that the parts are in the position shown'in Figure 3, it will be apparent that when itis desiredto disengage the cap 17 from the filler neck, the actuating member 2 1 is merely rotated independent of the cap 20 to disengage the cooperating cam surfaces 18and 19 in the conventional manner. Upon disengagement of the cam surfaces 18 and 19, the cap 17, together with the cap 20 and actuating member 24, may be removed from assembled relation with the shell permitting the COOllIlg fluid to'be replenished at frequeni intervals. Vvhen, on the other hand, it desired to assemble the unit upon the shell to seal the filler neck,-th e cap 17 is merely extended through the opening 15 into the filler-neck and the cap 20 properly positioned upon the shell after which the actuating member may be depressed to engage the cam surs faces 18 and 19 and then rotated to effect the sealing function. v Y i Thus, from the foregoing it will'ibe parent that with the -above construction of cap assembly the ornamental or visible cap 20 is not rotated to either disengage or -1-- srage the cap 1'? with the fillerne'cln reason of this arrangement it will be obvious th at the cap 20 may be fashioned of any desirable t to conform to thelatter and the top wall 21 may be fashioned to conform to the top wall 13 hi the shell so tha'ttiemarginal edges 33 thereof will intimately engage the top surfaces of the shell. In other words, the cap 20 may possess any desirable contour and may be extended into intimate engagcment with the shellso as to simulate in effect an integral part of the latter, thereby appreciably enhancing the appearance of the radiator unit. Moreover, it will. beobvious that I have secured the above results with a relatively simple and compact closure assembly capable of being readily manipulated to expose or seal the filler neck;

While in describing the present invention and particularizing upon the advantages and features thereotparticular stress hasbcen placed upon the configuration of the cap inember 20 illustrated herein and also upon the contour of the radiator shell, it is to be understoodthat the foregoing is for illustrative purposes only and-should not be con sidered as limiting the spirit and scope of this invention. What I claim as my invention is: e 1. A closure assembly for vehicleradiators havinga shell and a core portion located within the shell and providedwith a filler opening, saidassembly including amtatable cap member insertable into an opening 1n the shell and engageable with the core portlon for sealing the filler opening, a second cap nonrotatably mounted uponthe shell exteriorly of thes'ame for concealing the openingtherein, and means connecting the caps together accessible from a point exteriorly of the shell and permitting rotation and axial displacement of said first-mentoned cap relative to the second-mentioned cap.

2. A closure assembly for vehicle radiators having ashell and a core portion located within the shell and provided with a filler opening, said assembly including a rotatable cap member insertable into an opening in the shell and engageablewith the core portion for sealingthe filler opening, afsecond cap non-rotatably mounted upon the shell ex "t'eriorly of the same for concealing the openingthere'i'n', and means for connecting the caps together to form a unitary construction including amember rotatably mounted on said second-mentioned cap and secured to said first-named cap for actuatingthe latter, 8. closure assembly for vehicle radiators having a shell and a core portion-located within'the shell and provided with a filler opening, said assembly including a rotatable cap member insertable intoan' opening in the shell and engageable with thefcore portion for'sealing the filler openingfasecondcap non-rot'atably mounted upon the shell exteriorly of the same'for concealing the opening therein, and nieans-accessible 'for manipulation'from -a point exteriorlyof the shell for actuating saidfirst-named cap and for connecting the caps togetherto form a unitary construction, said means including a member mounted upon said second-mentioned cap for both rotation and axial movement relative thereto and havinga portion secured to said first-named cap.

- l 4.; A closure assembly for vehicle radiators havlng a shelland a core portion located within the shell and provided with a filler opening, said assembly including a rotatable l cap member insertable into an opening in the shell and engageable with the coreportion for sealing the filler opening, a second cap non rotatably'mounted uponthe' shell exteriorly of the same for concealing'the-opem' ing therein, means accessible for manipulation from a point ext'eriorly of the shell for actuatlng said first-namedcap and for connectingthe caps together to form a unitary construction, said means including a member mounted upon said second-mentionedcap for.

both rotation and axial movement relative thereto and having a portion, secured tosaid first-named cap, and yieldable means normally resisting axial movement of said means relative to the second-mentioned cap. 7

5. A closure assembly for vehicle radiators having a core portion provided with a filler opening therein and a shell for the core having an opening therein in alignment with the opening aforesaid, said assembly including a cap non-rotatably mounted upon the shell ex-,

teriorly of the latter for concealing the opening therein, a second cap 'insertable through the opening in the shell and mounted for rotation relative to the cap aforesaid for sealing engagement with the filler opening, and means for securing the caps together to form a unitary construction including a yieldable member arranged in the assembly to permit 'suflicient axial displacement of the secondall 15 named cap relative to the first-mentioned cap to accomplish the sealing function and to yieldably clampthe first-mentioned cap to the shell.

6. A closure assembly for vehicle radiators having a, coreportion provided with a filler opening therein and a shell for the core having an opening therein in alignment with the opening aforesaid, said assembly including a cap non-rotatably mounted upon the shell exteriorly of the latter for concealing the opening therein, a second capinsertable through the opening in the shell and mounted for rotation relative to the cap aforesaid for. sealing engagement with the filler opening, and means for securing the caps together to form a unitary construction including a yieldable element acting upon the two caps and normally under compression for yieldably clamping the non-rotatable cap to the shell,

7. A ClOZUIG assembly for vehicle radiators having a core portion provided with a filler opening therein and a shell for the core having an opening therein in alignment With the opening aforesaid, said assembly including a cap non-rotatably mounted upon the shell exteriorly of the latter for concealing the opening therein, a second cap insertable through the opening in the shell and mounted for rotation relative to the cap aforesaid for sealing engagement with the filler opening, and means for securing the caps together to form a unitary construction and accessible from a point exteriorly of the shell for maniplating the rotatable cap, said means including a yieldable element operable upon movement of the rotatable cap into sealing engagement with the filler opening to yieldably clamp said non-rotatable cap to the shell. I

8. A closure assembly for vehicle radiators having a core portion provided with a filler opening therein and 'a shell for the core having an opening therein in alignment with the opening aforesaid, said assembly including a cap non-rotatably mounted upon the shell exteriorly of the latter for concealing the opening therein, a second cap insertable through the opening in the shell and mounted for rotation relative to the cap aforesaid for sealing engagement with the filler opening, and a con,- nection between the two caps permitting sulficient relative axial displacement thereof to accomplish the sealing function.

9. A closure assembly for vehicle radiators having a core'portion provided with a filler opening therein and a shell for the core having an opening therein in alignment with the opening aforesaid, said assembly including a cap non-rotatably mounted upon the shell exteriorly of the latter for concealing the opening therein, a second cap insertable through the opening in the shell and mounted for rotation relative to the cap aforesaid for sealing engagement withthe filler opening, and means for securing the caps together to form a unitary construction and accessible from a point exteriorly of the shell for manipulating the rotatable cap, said means including a spring acting upon the two caps permitting sufficient relative axial displacement of the caps to accomplish the sealing function and operable in the sealing position of the rotatable cap to yieldably clamp the non-rotatable cap to the shell.

10. A closure assembly for vehicle radiators having a shell and a header for a cooling medium located within the shell provided with a filler opening therein and having a shoulder at the marginal edge of said opening, said closure assembly including a rotatable cap member insertable into an opening in the shell and having a portion fashioned to extend through the opening in the header for engagement with the under surface of said shoulder upon rotation of the cap member, a second cap mounted upon the shell exteriorly of the same for concealing the opening there in, a rotatable operating member accessible from a point exteriorly of the shell for manipulation and slidably engageable with said second mentioned cap for axial displacement relative thereto, means for securing the operating member to the first named cap for rotating the latter to engage the portion aforesaid thereof with said shoulder, and means normally yieldably urging the portion aforesaid of said first named cap into engagement with said shoulder.

11. A closure assembly for vehicle radiators having a shell and a core portion located within the shell and provided with a filler opening, said assembly including a rotatable cap member insertable into an opening in the shell and engageable with the core portion for sealing the filler opening aforesaid, a second cap mounted upon the shell exteriorly of the same for concealing the opening therein, means for securing both of said caps together as a unit including an operating member accessible from a point exteriorly of the shell for manipulation and mounted within the second named cap for both rotation and axial displacement relative thereto, means for securing the operating member to the first named cap, and yieldable means normally urging said first named cap toward the second mentioned cap.

12. A closure assembly for vehicle radiators having a shell and a header for a cooling medium located within the shell provided with a filler opening and having inclined shoulders at the marginal edges of said open ing, said closure assembly including a rotatable cap member insertable into an opening in the shell and having portions extending into the opening in the header engageable with the inclined shoulders to cam the cap into sealing engagement with the header upon rotation thereof, a second cap mounted upon the shell exteriorly of the same for concealing the opening therein, means connecting the two caps together to form a unitary construction including an operating member extending through the second mentioned cap for rotation and axial displacement relative thereto, means for securing the first named cap to the operating member,.and yiel-dable means engaging said second mentioned cap and operating member compressible upon axial displacement of the latter member in a direction to engage the portions aforesaid of the first named cap With the inclined shoulders on the header.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature.

' EARLE S. MAGPHERSON. 

